Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace Paperback – May 7, 2019

Excellent book full of sound advice to conquer anxiety and depression. You can adapt various tools to your situation. I used the advice about Contemplative Prayer and Gratitude. But there is a lot to choose from and yet they all have a similar thread and achieve the goal desired which is ultimate healing. Above all it is a great help for Christians who might be struggling . The use of God's word is particularly poignant throughout. Joy and true peace are ahead if you're prepared to take on any of the disciplines put forth in this book. It could become a Christian classic as Christ Jesus is at its centre. Doctrinally sound. Recommended

J. P. Moreland is one of the most influential philosophers in the world today. When I saw that he had written a book on coping with anxiety (and depression), I had to pick up, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace (as I struggle with anxiety and depression). As you might expect, the book chronicles his sudden and unexpected anxiety (and depression). Moreland explains how well his life was going making the appearance of anxiety so much more of an issue for him. There was no “ah-hah” moment of “this is what caused this.” In the first chapter, Moreland looks – from his perspective as a Christian and philosopher – at the human self and how it is made up of soul, spirit, and body – concluding that the “human body in an ensouled biological structure” (35). From this, he talks about self-talk and self-compassion. The parts of our self can become disjointed – especially by stress – and this is what (often) leads to anxiety and depression. It is through self-talk and self-compassion that you can realign the self in a real and holistic manner. In the third chapter, he explains the habits he has adopted to help him control his anxiety/depression – first looking at the neuroplasticity of the brain – that repeatedly doing something over a few months will cut or realign “grooves” in the brain such that the habits become second nature. Moreland then explains “the four-step solution,” “the HeartMath solution,” contemplative prayer, daily expressions of gratitude, medications, and “EMDR.” I will leave the details of these habits/practices for the reader to read. Suffice it to say, I have tried a few of these habits and found them helpful – and I am thankful that the author shows that it is no sinful to take medications to help with psychological/mental health problems. Too many Christians believe that medication is sinful, and one ought to be able to read Scripture, pray, and have them disappear. In some cases that may happen, but in others, medication is a good option. In chapter six, Moreland looks at biblical and miraculous healing, as well as the lamentations of the Bible when it seems God is not listening, much less responding, to one’s prayers. Each chapter ends with “bullet points” – the main points of the chapter – and all the bullet points are found at the end of the book for quick review. The appendices contain a list of encouraging Scriptures one might memorize and repeat along with the habits, two prayers one can pray written by the author’s mentor, Dallas Willard, and a lengthy, annotated bibliography for further reader, concluding with chapter endnotes. I am thankful for Moreland’s candor and honesty in written about his struggle – as I said, mental illness still remains something only talked about in hushed voices in many churches, and I have started to incorporate the habits he explains in my own life – that I would be healthier and more able to serve my God and Savior. [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

I have read and reread this book!! Learning about contemplative prayer has help me immensely!! Thank you J.P. Morgan, I love your book!!

A helpful tool for those battling anxiety/depression. Dr. Moreland provides several helpful ideas. I appreciated the openness & vulnerability with which he shared his experiences. Very easy to read IMO. You can benefit from this book without reading it all. At the end are several appendices with helpful verses, quotes, and suggestions for further reading.Only 4/5 because I thought many parts should have been expanded to better explain his basis for certain claims. In all fairness, he says, "this subject is addressed further in my book ________" but in my opinion most readers of Finding Quiet won't have his other philosophical volumes available to refer to.

Psalm 19 shows us that God’s reveals Himself in nature and the Scriptures. Likewise, Dr. Moreland aknowledges the natural and divine remedies to anxiety. In this short read, Dr. Moreland shares his well researched and biblically rooted methods for overcoming anxiety. Enlightening and practical. I recommend it.

This book is so fantastic. The writer is open and honest. I love how he immediately shares his own story and history, but also shares one of the most important things I think he can--that a person dealing with anxiety and depression needs to be treated as a whole person--that means body, soul/spirit and mind. I also think any questions that might come up as you read--he answers them. It's very reasonable and practical and the best part is...you become hopeful that there is healing in sight. If you are someone that deals with anxiety or depression--or if you are a person who wants to support someone who has these things--I would read this book immediately. I am not exaggerating when I say, it's probably one of the most helpful books I've ever read. I purchased several copies and asked friends to read this book and every person but one felt compelled to share with me about the book and wants to pass it on, plus they want to do a book discussion group about it.

Coming from a Reformed perspective there are many things in this book that make me uncomfortable as some techniques are rooted in Buddhist and Catholic thought.The book contains some useful information and helpful techniques that can also apply to other destructive thought patterns such as anger, etc. I just wish it had had a more robust Biblical basis with more emphasis focusing on the promises of God. As a Christian book, I wanted it to end with a clear reference to Jesus Christ as our ultimate hope but instead it just fizzled at the end that we can lament to God about our troubles.Should you decide to purchase, just make sure to read it with much Biblical discernment.

I’m not even finished the book and I’m giving it 5 stars. I’m really excited about starting some of these practices. And the way it’s presented, from such a fabulous mind, is amazing.

If you like/support/practice contemplative prayer you'll love this book. If you don't you'll hate it. If you are a neutral or unknowledgable about the history and practice of contetemplative (centring) prayer please read a good critique on it before committing to it. JPM's section arguing for it is lame and misleading. I am so sad to see JPM has gone down this line. As someone with a very similar life history I would not recommend this approach.

Excellent practical advice that can be implemented to strengthen your faith. Some great takeaways that you can pick and choose from.

The book is much smaller than expected and the paper quality inside is poor. (Very thin, very flimsy.) Definitely not worth CAD 21+. More like $10.The content is like your average self-help book, lots of psychological practices recommended which might be divisive among Christians. There’s also theological advice based on Scripture, which is certainly helpful.